Apparatus for forming benches for greenhouses.



k 9mm J. WILSON. APPARATUS FOR FORMING BENOHES FOR GEEENHOUSES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 19, 1907.

1,065,417, Patented June 24,1913. J. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Witn esses Attorneys.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH :0 WASHINGTON. D. C.

J. WILSON. APPARATUS FOR FORMING BENGHES FOR GREENHOUSES. APPLICATIONFILED JULY 19, 1907.

1,065,417, Patented June 24,1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

4"" I o o o o o o o O nc: l '1: 1 H z Attorneys.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH (IO-WASHINGTON, b. c.

J. WILSON. APPARATUS FOR FORMING BENGHES FOB. GREENHOUSES.

APPLIGATION FILED JULY 19, 1907.

Patented June 24, 1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

3w Inventor wa wa Witnesses A [tofu eys.

cqLuMBlA PLANOGRAFH co., WASHINGTON, u. c.

J. WILSON.

APPARATUS FOR FORMINGABENOHES FOR GREENHOUSE.-

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 19, 1907.

11 tor Attorneys.

Patented June 24 Witn esses UNITED STATFEATENT OFTC JOHN WILSON, OFSHORT HILLS, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TOWILSON-HOYT COMPANY, OF SHORT HILLS, NEW JERSEY, A

CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

APPARATUS FOR FORMING IBENCHES FOR GREENHOUSES.

Application filed July 19, 1907.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN \Vrrson, a citizenof the United States, and a resident of Short Hills, county of Essex,and State of New Jersey, have invented an Apparatus for Forming Benchesfor Greenhouses, of which the following is a specification.

The object I have in view is the production of a means for makingmonolithic benches of reinforced concrete, which apparatus will make theoperation of building benches a simple and expeditious one.

By my invention I produce an apparatus which may be readily transported,which may be adjusted to form benches of different sizes, and which maybe assembled to build a bench within the greenhouse or other place whereit is to be used.

Other advantages will more fully appear in the following specificationand the drawings forming a part of this specification, either takentogether or separately.

In these drawings, Figure l is a plan view, with a portion broken away,of a bench embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section ofthe same taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectiontaken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. at is a transverse section of amold taken on the line 4L4 of Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the same,the parts being broken away to show both ends of a mold. Fig. (3 is aside view of the mold with parts broken away. Fig. 6 is a detail sectionof a modification. Fig. '7 is a cross section taken on the line 7-7 ofFig. 6. Fig. 8 is a plan view of a portion of the device shown in Figs.(3 and 7. Fig. 9 is a detail view of the preferred form of thereinforcing wire. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of two bents inposition, and the mold support arranged between the same, the mold beingabsent. Fig. 11 is a plan view of the mold support in its foldedposition; and Fig. 12 is a detail view of one end of the mold supportingmembers.

In all of the views like parts are designated by the same referencecharacters.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is shown the bench. It is formed with integralbents 1, which are preferably of reinforced concrete, and has alongitudinally slotted top with vertical sides 2 and ends 3. The sidesand ends may be omitted in certain situations if considered desirable.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 24, 1913.

Serial No. 384,635.

The longitudinal slots at in the top of the bench form between themlongitudinal slabs or slats 5. These slats are reinforced bylongitudinal wires or other metallic members 6, which extend from end toend of each bench. The benches are made of any length desired and may inpractice exceed several hundred feet. The bents are arranged atintervals a convenient distance apart, preferably a distance slightlygreater than the width of the bench.

Bet-ween each pair of bents the slots 4; are preferably interrupted oneor more times in order to form transverse slat-s 7. These transverseslats are preferably reinforced by wires or other metallic members 8;the sides 35 and ends 8 are preferably also reinforced by wires, similarto the wires 6, and the transverse wires 8 preferably extend upward intothe sides. The entire bench is therefore formed of monolithic reinforcedconcrete, the top being smooth, and provided with longitudinal slots,which permit the escape of moisture from the soil. The tops, sides andends of the benches are reinforced. By this construction the sides, endsand tops may be made of a minimum thickness with a resulting economy inmanufacture.

The slots 4; are best made parallel, as by that construction they may bemore readily maimfactured, as will hereinafter appear.

The benches are preferably made from bents of certain stock sizes whichare arranged at proper intervals, and the tops with the sides and ends,where the latter are used, are molded in place upon the bents, andcombine therewith and form an integral structure, the entire operationtaking place within the greenhouse or other place where the bench is tobe used.

The means for molding the benches comprises a mold having a ribbedbottom, the ribs running longitudinally and having tapered sides, andends which ribs form the longitudinal slats and the slots between them.The ribs are of a height equal to the thickness of the bench top, sothat they form gages to determine the thickness of the cement, and, whenthe mold is withdrawn, the spaces occupied by the ribs will form theslots. This mold is arranged in sections, each section being adapted tobe placed between contiguous bents. It is supported upon a frame, whichis temporarily secured to the bents. Means is attached to the mold toform a proper configuration of the sides and ends, and other means isattached for supporting and stretching the wires.

The concrete is molded within the mold and around the wires, and thesupporting frame is removed. permitting the mold to drop downward. Thisleaves the completely finished. bench, with its monolithic top and itssides and ends all properly reinforced by the longitudinal andtransverse wires. The mold 1'7 is of such a length that it will extendbetween two contiguous bents. It is preferably made of sheet iron, orother suitable material, and is provided with longitudinal parallel ribs18. such ribs as shown in Fig. l. having tapering side walls and ends sothat they are wider at the bottom than at the top. Their depth ispreferably the same as the thickness of the finished bench top.

The spaces between the ribs define the width and depth of thelongitudinal slats 5. The thickness of each rib defines the width andshape of the slots 4. having tapering side walls the mold may be removedfrom below when relieved of its support. Each mold is bestmade of aplurality of pieces, three being shown in Figs. t and 7, the pieces eingso secured together that the width of the i'nold may be adjusted tobuild different widths of benches. Each mold has its ribs 18 extendingthroughoutits length, with the exception of interrup tions, one or morein number, intermediate the ends.

Fig. 8 shows the center portion of the mold with the ribs interrupted.along the line which forms the tra isverse slat 7. The mold ispreferably provided at the bottom with a strengthening bar 19, which isriveted or otherwise secured to the mold. Preferablv one of such bars islocated adjacent to each end of each mold and one in the middle, but thenumber and location is immaterial. These strengthening bars arepreferably made in the same number of pieces as are the molds, so thatthe widtl of the latter may be properly adjusted. A suitable number ofbolts 20 working through slots in the bars and in the bottom of the moldform a means for clamping the side members of each mold. to the centermember in any position. so that the width. of the mold may be adjustedwithin certain limits. The sides of the molds extend upward at 21, so asto define the outer face of the sides 8 of the benches. The upper edgesof the sides of the molds are best finished by rolling over wire, asshown in Figs. 6 and 7, producing a strengthening of the upper edge ofthe mold, and doing away with the sharp edge which would otherwise beproduced. The ends of the molds are uninclosed.

For the purpose of supporting the molds upon the bents and in properrelation thereto, a frame 22 is employed. This frame is best shown inFigs. 10, 11 and 12. It is preferably formed of angle iron, andcomprises longitudinal members 23 and transverse members 24;. Thelongitudinal. and transverse members are made of angle iron; thelongitudinal members are arranged with their transverse edges uppermost,while the transverse members are arranged with their transverse edgeslowermost, the two transverse edges being together. A single rivet atearl 1 point of intersection will. sufliciently secure the partstogether and prevent a loose movement. It also permits the frame to becompactly folded, as shown in Fig. 11.

To the ends of the transverse members 24 are secured brackets 25 for thepurpose of giving support to the sides 21 of the mold. These bracketsare provided with slots for engagement with bolts 26, so that the widthof the transverse members may be adjusted to accmnmodate the adjustmentof the width of the mold.

For the purpose of supporting the frame 22 so as to sustain the moldproperly between the beats, I employ boards or planks 27, which aretemporarily secured one on each side of a bent, by means of the bolts28, such bolts passing through openings in the bents. The upper edges ofthe boards 27 are arranged below the upper faces of the bents, adistance equal to the thickness of the bottom of the mold, so that thetop of the mold will be flush. with the top of the bent. Brackets 29,similar in many respects to the brackets 25, are adjust-ably secured inthe same manner to the ends of the boards 27, and extend beyond theboards so that their inner faces are separated the same distance as arethe brackets 25. The ends of the longitudinal members 23 of the frame 22are adapted to rest within notches 30, formed in the upper edges of theboards 27. In order to give a firm foundation for the members, thevertical. web of each is cut away and bent at right angles, as shown inFig. 11. This allows the horizontal web to rest upon the base of thenotch 30 and the transverse por tion formed by bending the vertical webto rest against the face of the board. By this means a firm support forthe longitudinal member Will be secured and means will be provided forkeeping the bents a proper distance apartto resist the strains of thelongitudinal wires when the latter are put under tension.

By means of the frame 22 and boards 27, a support for the mold issecured. The bent-s are arranged a proper distance apart with the boardssecured to them; the frames 22 are supported upon the boards and themolds rest upon the frames. There will then be spaces uninclosed at theends of each bent, and also at the beginning and end of each bench. Inorder to inclose the ends of the bents additional pieces 31 aretemporarily attached between the sides of contiguous molds.

The additional pieces 31 are secured in place by sliding bolts 32 whichlie within the rolled over edge of each side 21; slots are formed sothat the operating handle of the bolt will extend outward in a positionto be manipulated. The bolts extend into the rolled over edge of eachadditional piece, the strengthening wires not being present in theposition occupied by the bolts. llhe lower portion of each additionalpiece is supported by means of a bar which is held in place byengagement within notches formed of the vertical inner faces of thebrackets 25 and 29.

In order to secure a means for defining the outer side of the end wallsa board 13-1 is attached to the outer face of. the outermost bent. Thisboard is attached by the same bolts that the boards 27 are secured toand is similar to said boards, except that it extends upward to the sameheight as the sides 21 of the mold. The additional pieces 31 over thesides of the end bents ot' the bench will be secured in the mannerdescribed, to the mold on one side, and to the board 3% upon the other.A pin 35 on the bflfll'h 31- will extend into the rolled over edge ofthe addi tional piece, while a strap 36 on the end of the board 3 1 willform a means of support for the bar 33.

Fig. 6 shows a means for providing an overhang to the top at the end ofthe bench. To secure this, the end board 3 1 is not directly secured tothe bent, but the shim 3-4 is interposed, which removes the board 34: asuflicient distance to secure the overhan By the construction described,a mold for the top and outside of the sides and ends of the bent-s areformed. For the purpose of defining the inside of the sides, suitablelongitudinal boards 37 are arranged within each mold. These longitudinalboards 37 are temporarily secured parallel to the sides 21 of the mold.The lower edge of each board 37 is supported above the bottom of themold a distance equal to the thickness of the finished top. This supportmay be made by means of pins 38, which may be permanently secured to theboards 37, and will rest upon the bot-tom of the mold. Ad'- ditionalsupport is made by means of the screws 39, which pass through openingsin the sides 21, and are temporarily screwed into the boards 37. Thespace between the sides 21 and the longitudimal boards 37 constitutes amold for the sides: of the bench. By removing the screws 39 thelongitudinal boards 37 can be lifted up, when the bench is molded andthe mold is demolished, leaving the holes in the bench which wereoccupied by the pins 38 and bolts 39. The boards 37 are made in longerlengths than the molds, so that they inclose the sides over the bents.

The inner faces of the ends 3 of each bench are defined by a transverseboard 41-0, which is supported upon the mold in the same manner as thelongitudinal boards 37, and is attached to the end boards 31 in the samemanner as the boards 37 are attach-ed to the sides 21. They may belifted out after the mold is demolished in the same manner as thelongitudinal boards 37.

In connection with the mold described, means is provided for stretchingthe longitudinal wires the full length of the bench so that they will beheld in proper position and the bents will be held together, permittingthe concrete to be introduced. One of the end boards 3% is provided withpins 11, to which the end of the wire is secured. The wires pass throughholes in the end board $1 to the adjacent transverse board 10, andextend over the molds and bents between the corrugations of the formerto the other end of the bench where they pass through holes in thetransverse boards 10 at that end and similar holes in the end board 3 1,and are set up with Winches 42, which are carried by that end board; thewires can now be put under the necessary tension and will be held inproper position. The transverse wires 8, which are preferably heavierthan the longitudinal wires are out to the proper length and bent asshown in Fig. 7 with hooked ends and are placed over the uncorrugatedportion of each mold in the position shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The hookedextremities are adapted to rest over and be supported by the uppermostlongitudinal wire in each side. The center portion of the transversewire will rest upon the longitudinal wires and be held in position.

For simplicity of illustration 1 have shown the reinforcing means asconsisting of straight wires, but I prefer to use a twisted wire such asis shown in Fig. 9 for this purpose.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that in building thebenches in accordance with my invention, the bents are first arranged inposition with the boards 27 bolted thereto. The frames 22 are thenarranged between each pair of bents, resting in the notches in theboards 27; the brackets 25 and 28 are then adjusted to the properposition, the molds are adjusted to the proper width, and each one isrested upon a frame between two bents. The additional pieces 31 are thensecured in place, and the longitudinal boards 37 are arranged within themolds. The end boards 34 having been previously arranged in position,the longitudinal wires are stretched through the entire length of thebents and put under the necessary tension, the transverse wires are tlenlaid in place and the concrete is poured within the mold and smoothedoil to the height of the ribs.

The side and end walls are then molded by pouring in additionalmaterial, in the spaces provided for it. When the concrete issutliciently hardened to permit the removal of the mold the wires whereconnected to the end boards 3st are first cut so as to permit theremoval of the boards. The longitudinal and transverse boards 27 and i0are removed upward, and the bolts 28 holding the boards 27 are drivenout, permitting the boards 27 to drop, and with them the frames 22 andmolds 17. The same apparatus may then be used for making additionalbenches.

in accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I havedescribed the principle of my invention, together with the ap- Uopies ofthis patent may be obtained for paratus which I now consider torepresent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have itunderstood that the apparatus shown is merely illustrative and that thein vention can be carried out in other ways.

Having now described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for molding concrete benches which comprises boardsadjustable to both sides of a bent and having notches,

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, 1). C.

